tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7180470398126092212018-03-05T23:06:38.575-08:00Lighting Up Little MindsAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123716322910358092noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718047039812609221.post-7758934417267522172016-08-13T19:26:00.001-07:002016-08-13T19:26:36.285-07:00Back to School!<br /><br />It's that time of year - back to school! One of my favorite things about each year is the chance to start fresh (both with students and a classroom makeover!) I have been working the last month or so to get my classroom ready for the new year. &nbsp;My room was painted grey over the summer (yay!) and so I tried to work to match that color scheme. &nbsp;Many of the items in the pictures below come from my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Rustic-Brights-Classroom-Theme-Bundle-2618449" target="_blank">Rustic Brights Bundle</a>.<br /><br />So, without further ado: here it is!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gMoToIzftaQ/V6_S_69VXSI/AAAAAAAAAGU/EROQC5qeeiM32BMvyE-XMSbjjLA_EqYmgCK4B/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gMoToIzftaQ/V6_S_69VXSI/AAAAAAAAAGU/EROQC5qeeiM32BMvyE-XMSbjjLA_EqYmgCK4B/s320/IMG_0086.JPG" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YAKJ3seV-Ks/V6_S_i3djdI/AAAAAAAAAGM/2LrnoU1MD2UvgaapJDtGMYMSVM9v2eYbgCK4B/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YAKJ3seV-Ks/V6_S_i3djdI/AAAAAAAAAGM/2LrnoU1MD2UvgaapJDtGMYMSVM9v2eYbgCK4B/s320/IMG_0087.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />We just finished up open house a few days ago (the kids come on Monday...eek!)<br />I tried to keep it super simple this year - three clipboards with the information that I needed, the students picked out a pencil pouch to leave on their desk, and all their forms/handbook were on their desk with a little gift for each kiddo.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYblj3PPa-s/V6_THPzR-LI/AAAAAAAAAGc/ywTEfPcbWkktDfOHX4UisgFOv_-j3IigwCK4B/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDSiuwti9fA/V6_TKalIcJI/AAAAAAAAAGs/L4kTM9YReN4e5vqKHd8tjg5nQkjABoxOACK4B/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDSiuwti9fA/V6_TKalIcJI/AAAAAAAAAGs/L4kTM9YReN4e5vqKHd8tjg5nQkjABoxOACK4B/s320/IMG_0082.JPG" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-db8fn_NDVsw/V6_TJyrTwQI/AAAAAAAAAGk/OQdrIQ4zFFouUhZmmzWbE5t3kAZjCPW1wCK4B/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-db8fn_NDVsw/V6_TJyrTwQI/AAAAAAAAAGk/OQdrIQ4zFFouUhZmmzWbE5t3kAZjCPW1wCK4B/s320/IMG_0081.JPG" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYblj3PPa-s/V6_THPzR-LI/AAAAAAAAAGc/ywTEfPcbWkktDfOHX4UisgFOv_-j3IigwCK4B/s320/IMG_0051.JPG" width="320" /><br /><br />Organization, organization, and organization! My three favorite words :)<br />Every year I buy these pencil boxes at Michaels and label them with my Cricut. &nbsp;I love that they're all the same size and shape and therefore can stack neatly in these cube organizers. &nbsp;My kiddos leave their pencil box here unless we're using them. &nbsp;It really helps cut down on the clutter in their desks. <br /><br />I organize myself with subject mailbox bins for my weekly copies and a toolbox organizer (from Lowes) for all those little things I need daily.<br /><br />I am trying a new system with my iPads this year by storing them in this drawer organizer. &nbsp;I attached the charging ports onto the back of the organizer and fed each cord through to the drawer. &nbsp;The bottom two drawers will hold their headphones.'<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3BEfpHVT6A/V6_ToA7LBxI/AAAAAAAAAHM/vbNB5DfgxH0pDuvlmDQGTh-a2139a2tdgCK4B/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3BEfpHVT6A/V6_ToA7LBxI/AAAAAAAAAHM/vbNB5DfgxH0pDuvlmDQGTh-a2139a2tdgCK4B/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxiRV3iFVh4/V6_TnwHZw0I/AAAAAAAAAHA/HDL5StNDgcQSANwDN6_KUo9UHINZNCBQQCK4B/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxiRV3iFVh4/V6_TnwHZw0I/AAAAAAAAAHA/HDL5StNDgcQSANwDN6_KUo9UHINZNCBQQCK4B/s320/IMG_0057.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hzea_ksEa28/V6_Tn_WI4uI/AAAAAAAAAHE/qKeiGM5YLYMmVDnFRQSjBu4KJ8-7b_mGgCK4B/s1600/IMG_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hzea_ksEa28/V6_Tn_WI4uI/AAAAAAAAAHE/qKeiGM5YLYMmVDnFRQSjBu4KJ8-7b_mGgCK4B/s320/IMG_0055.jpg" width="240" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Pn5dqG0cCI/V6_TnMz0vzI/AAAAAAAAAG0/SD-iM4rmuhMMfF_wU5f4XgUj7_OnPDFXgCK4B/s1600/IMG_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Pn5dqG0cCI/V6_TnMz0vzI/AAAAAAAAAG0/SD-iM4rmuhMMfF_wU5f4XgUj7_OnPDFXgCK4B/s320/IMG_0054.jpg" width="240" /></a>&nbsp;<br /><br />And here are my beloved bulletin boards! I have tried splitting my back bulletin board (which is the length of my classroom) into anywhere from 2-5 smaller boards. &nbsp;This year I kept it simple and went with two - one for displaying student work and the other for anchor charts and posters that go along with what we're learning. &nbsp;My plan is to change out the student work board with seasonal scrapbook paper throughout the year. &nbsp;My front board will be used for pictures of students throughout the year. &nbsp;I loved this idea with the #firstday heading that I've seen all over Pinterest. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UIzMebhWGU/V6_UbjkpLYI/AAAAAAAAAHg/n5Gs_E2RuvkZD8V5kdkVEqraZ_T8MxTqACK4B/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nBMLkOC2WsY/V6_UvA4ns_I/AAAAAAAAAHs/cqOricHLa18pRtqYY0368RH3X9b7G5gowCK4B/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nBMLkOC2WsY/V6_UvA4ns_I/AAAAAAAAAHs/cqOricHLa18pRtqYY0368RH3X9b7G5gowCK4B/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UIzMebhWGU/V6_UbjkpLYI/AAAAAAAAAHg/n5Gs_E2RuvkZD8V5kdkVEqraZ_T8MxTqACK4B/s320/IMG_0058.JPG" width="320" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jd2tDsIN1hQ/V6_Ubc__QlI/AAAAAAAAAHY/lQRSe1OzeIkgU82K0oZQo4XxgAeGaQCRwCK4B/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jd2tDsIN1hQ/V6_Ubc__QlI/AAAAAAAAAHY/lQRSe1OzeIkgU82K0oZQo4XxgAeGaQCRwCK4B/s320/IMG_0056.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />I organized my classroom library a little differently this year - I labeled all of the picture book bins with alphabet letters and the chapter book bins with numbers. &nbsp;This way, when students check out books all they have to record is the basket number or letter that the book came from - I am hoping this helps with continued organization of the library throughout the year!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XXf9xby_zo/V6_VVJzruiI/AAAAAAAAAH8/epiCUz4L-ygQcp1qsIPJkHde6LBTbmh4ACK4B/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XXf9xby_zo/V6_VVJzruiI/AAAAAAAAAH8/epiCUz4L-ygQcp1qsIPJkHde6LBTbmh4ACK4B/s320/IMG_0068.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XXf9xby_zo/V6_VVJzruiI/AAAAAAAAAH8/epiCUz4L-ygQcp1qsIPJkHde6LBTbmh4ACK4B/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsWkdbeyyM8/V6_VYZAYXbI/AAAAAAAAAIE/RB9aQQ2T1ActgGaclg2lk56jQjEXcXH5ACK4B/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsWkdbeyyM8/V6_VYZAYXbI/AAAAAAAAAIE/RB9aQQ2T1ActgGaclg2lk56jQjEXcXH5ACK4B/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EsyuspCWDPk/V6_VUtnOXZI/AAAAAAAAAH0/YcOUZLP35IEBuHTdS0TKo0TelX5g0-_MwCK4B/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EsyuspCWDPk/V6_VUtnOXZI/AAAAAAAAAH0/YcOUZLP35IEBuHTdS0TKo0TelX5g0-_MwCK4B/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />For classroom behavior, I plan to use the clip chart again this year. &nbsp;I used it last year and LOVED IT. &nbsp;My kiddos responded very well to it and it was easy to keep track of as the teacher. &nbsp;I am also going to accompany that with a try at BRAG tags. &nbsp;I've seen them all over and I'm anxious to try them out in my classroom! &nbsp;Here is a picture of my BRAG tags display board and clip chart.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4kKkDEM57Y/V6_WLQzggeI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/GIulsx1k-XYtMRQCnawQV6xTb6ZhLowUgCK4B/s1600/IMG_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4kKkDEM57Y/V6_WLQzggeI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/GIulsx1k-XYtMRQCnawQV6xTb6ZhLowUgCK4B/s320/IMG_0084.jpg" width="240" />&nbsp; &nbsp;</a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKs3m_kLbyo/V6_WU9jbSvI/AAAAAAAAAIg/NQqu08-kIgsJvuHZyzipeIZOSlTDTOuogCK4B/s1600/IMG_3748.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jKs3m_kLbyo/V6_WU9jbSvI/AAAAAAAAAIg/NQqu08-kIgsJvuHZyzipeIZOSlTDTOuogCK4B/s320/IMG_3748.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />I am ready for another great year of teaching third grade kiddos!<br /><br /><br /><br />Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123716322910358092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718047039812609221.post-43994835757797301582016-04-15T14:00:00.002-07:002016-04-15T18:10:49.482-07:00This week in reading we've been working on comparing fiction and non-fiction when reading. &nbsp;My kiddos still get the two confused (I think when they hear non- they think "not" and then automatically say not real) - we've been working on this plus much more! <br /><br />This week during guided reading, we read two articles - one fiction and one non-fiction - both about soccer. &nbsp;We talked about how pictures can give us clues (i.e. - cartoon pictures are usually for fiction stories and real photographs are for non-fiction) before reading. &nbsp;We made predictions based on the pictures and then read both stories. &nbsp;I have several kids this year that are into soccer and play on teams so it was high-interest for them (even the non-fiction!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY67uKswV6Q/VxFVZXOPvqI/AAAAAAAAADg/6LDoxW_LREooNqljXgNSChnwPr0HqocmQCLcB/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY67uKswV6Q/VxFVZXOPvqI/AAAAAAAAADg/6LDoxW_LREooNqljXgNSChnwPr0HqocmQCLcB/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D72FFLBOJhI/VxFVZY916PI/AAAAAAAAADc/8QY-o2OSZ3UyLXFSCgTpF-jr2zlpeLtdACLcB/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D72FFLBOJhI/VxFVZY916PI/AAAAAAAAADc/8QY-o2OSZ3UyLXFSCgTpF-jr2zlpeLtdACLcB/s320/Slide2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />We read and answered five questions together about each story and almost all of the questions required students to look back in the passages - they like using different colored highlighters to find evidence for their answers.<br /><br />The third day we laid both stories side by side and used four different graphic organizers that show up on our end of the year state tests. &nbsp;We completed each one together by using the stories we read.<br /><br />We compared both of the stories using a Venn Diagram. &nbsp;We filled in events on a timeline that went with the non-fiction story (which was about the history of soccer and used many dates). &nbsp;Then we used a sequencing flowchart and I had the kids go through and highlight the five events and showed them how easy it was to put them in order once they highlighted them all. &nbsp;We didn't get to do the cause and effect chart because we ran out of time! &nbsp;Oh how I wish there were more hours in the day sometimes!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBSPgfISwAA/VxFVg0nL-yI/AAAAAAAAADo/1FDBcXrY1HsSTGcc-vQeBhNPS9GGrWX_wCLcB/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBSPgfISwAA/VxFVg0nL-yI/AAAAAAAAADo/1FDBcXrY1HsSTGcc-vQeBhNPS9GGrWX_wCLcB/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe5bp8NNauA/VxFVg0qTFVI/AAAAAAAAADs/nd66JsLmlS4vu636WNZlapBY9C0Hh_WcgCLcB/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe5bp8NNauA/VxFVg0qTFVI/AAAAAAAAADs/nd66JsLmlS4vu636WNZlapBY9C0Hh_WcgCLcB/s320/Slide2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhifGR-eots/VxFVg2VlSAI/AAAAAAAAADw/8RtwMD6E7q4Lkw3C1JxmrCS9v1yQSwrRACLcB/s1600/Slide3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhifGR-eots/VxFVg2VlSAI/AAAAAAAAADw/8RtwMD6E7q4Lkw3C1JxmrCS9v1yQSwrRACLcB/s320/Slide3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>You can get this high-interest fiction/non-fiction set in my TPT store by clicking on the link below. &nbsp;Be sure to check out my other set on Sharks as well!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOA5D5Aas1s/VxGRDIukpwI/AAAAAAAAAEU/L9iN9EJyGcA81zyb4zdVM1tGXdhMuzmQACLcB/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-15%2Bat%2B9.10.13%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOA5D5Aas1s/VxGRDIukpwI/AAAAAAAAAEU/L9iN9EJyGcA81zyb4zdVM1tGXdhMuzmQACLcB/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-15%2Bat%2B9.10.13%2BPM.png" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fiction-Nonfiction-Test-Prep-Soccer-2470000" target="_blank">Fiction &amp; Nonfiction Test Prep - Soccer</a><br /><br />Happy Friday!<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhifGR-eots/VxFVg2VlSAI/AAAAAAAAADw/8RtwMD6E7q4Lkw3C1JxmrCS9v1yQSwrRACLcB/s1600/Slide3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123716322910358092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-718047039812609221.post-24205177696645237122016-04-04T13:45:00.000-07:002016-04-04T13:47:32.687-07:00Hello everyone, and welcome! One of my recent goals has been to start a blog and so here we go!<br /><br />I thought for my first post that I would show a freebie I recently posted in my store, so you can get your copy here:<br /><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: consolas, courier new;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/April-Math-Freebie-2482680">GET YOUR FREEBIE HERE!</a></span></span><br /><br />Our state standards require the kids to take so many tests and learn so much information, that sometimes I forget that they are still only 8 years old and need to have fun! &nbsp;While I can't always do all of the FUN things I want to do, I still strive to make learning exciting for them. &nbsp;One way I do this is by making some of our day-to-day "worksheets" a little more engaging. &nbsp;This freebie includes three math worksheets, but they are cute and my kiddos really like when things are seasonal. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLtdDDekM1Q/VwLS3LYO0iI/AAAAAAAAACM/E8_PN6Vp3Ksro9jpua95IDULz8JbG39Bw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-04%2Bat%2B4.36.49%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLtdDDekM1Q/VwLS3LYO0iI/AAAAAAAAACM/E8_PN6Vp3Ksro9jpua95IDULz8JbG39Bw/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2016-04-04%2Bat%2B4.36.49%2BPM.png" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />I hope everyone has a great Monday and start to your week!<br /><br />Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04123716322910358092noreply@blogger.com0